Odd Hubley Kiddie Toy P47(?) Fake?

[Dutch1Girl]

I found this in an antique shop the other day. The dealer told me it is an un-released, polished version of this plane. He said the Hubley factory threw them out but an employee took one out and saved it. It sounded plausible as we're in Lancaster, PA - however, I am unable to find anything about this plane. That would make sense too if it was thrown out. I'm afraid I may have been duped. This is the best photo I could get. Does anyone know anything about this? Thanks.

[Dutch1Girl]

I can't get my photo to behave!

[grwebster]

Did you upload to photobucket.com?
Just comply the code with the brackets and post them as is

See general discussion for moreinfo

[Dutch1Girl]

I do have the image on photo bucket. The HTML for the image is unclickable there. I'll have to figure it out. Thanks!

[Dutch1Girl]

[grwebster]

Thanks for reposting the photo. the new photobucket upload is quite easy now.

Your item seems to be a polished casting of the second version {note the 'bump' at the top of the fuselage behind the engine cowling}, buthe prop is wrong however and is not for this plane but the smaller 'Navy Fighter' {a Buffalo}.

Hard to say if it was some type of experimental prototype or not but there doesn't seem to be anything new on the casting, just the polished finish that could be done by anyone. I do like it in that finish, though.

Confirmed provenance is key if you are paying a big premium for a 'prototype'. Just a verbal description from a 'former employee' doesn't really count.

I have over the years obtained some unusual Hubley aircraft toys at the Hersey Toy show, most notably aluminum versions of some of their 1920s cast iron toys sold by a 'former employee'. {BTW he was really old as I recall and I doubt he is still around.} They were not priced by the seller any differently than the standard cast iron ones at the time. These were sold at auction earlier this year and were described by Morphy's experts as rare variants, known but hard to find. They did sell at higher prices than the normal ones this time. Cast iron collectors tend to be 65++, very well informed, and are very picky on condition and provenance

I also have a Grumman Goose in metal that also came from a 'former Hubley employee'. Again, there is no solid provenance and I didn't pay a lot for it. It is still unusual and for me, a specialist Hubley collector, it was a welcome and unusual item in my collection.
Here it is below, just tacked together for display -missing some parts. BTW I am selling this on January 10th so if anyone is interested in it before it goes to auction, let me know $75.00 including shippping, paypal only.


Here is the standard plastic version- note missing tail wheel. Most examples are found this way. If you find an all red one it is a more recent reissue from the original tooling. Still worth obtaining in my opinion.

[Dutch1Girl]

Thank you for your well written and informative information. I have no recourse with the dealer - as I asked him to lower to the price (no) then I asked if it was returnable - only for store credit. I wanted that plane badly to give to my aviator husband. I also asked him to write down the provenance - which word he claimed not to know.
I became suspicious when I looked at similar Hubley planes on Ebay that afternoon and none were going for NEAR what I paid.
Ho hum. Lesson learned. Expensive lesson at that.
I think I'll drop by his shop for a little chat.

[grwebster]

You know, I think your husband will love it. Don't bother any more about it. Its a great present no matter what. That is what counts in the end.

[Dutch1Girl]

Thanks GR. He does love it. And yes, that's all that matters. That and nailing down that dealer a bit more on his story. He said someone at The lancaster Airport was also interested in it. I'd like just a little more info. You have been super. I love this forum!